Power Surge Sends Delaware Baseball to 15-4 Win Over Fairfield

BEL AIR, Md. -- The University of Delaware used an impressive power surge, which included a season-high five home runs, 10 extra base hits, and 23 total hits, to pound Fairfield 15-4 Saturday afternoon in non-league baseball action at Harford Community College.

After producing 17 hits in a 10-2 win over Fairfield Friday, the Blue Hen bats were even more productive Saturday as Delaware scored 13 runs in a span of three innings to run away with the victory, the team’s third in the last four outings and fourth straight “home” win at Harford CC.

The Blue Hens (8-8), who reached the .500 mark with the win, reached season-highs for home runs, hits, extra base and runs in the victory. The 15 runs were the most by a Delaware team since a 16-1 win over George Mason last March 7 and the 23 hits were the most since banging out 25 in an 18-10 win over Towson on Apr. 16, 2010. Delaware has now scored 10 or more runs in four straight games at Harford.

Catcher Ty Warrington and rightfielder Norm Donkin each hit two home runs and centerfielder Joe Giacchino added a solo shot as part of a three-hit game to lead the offensive fireworks. The Hens had hit just four total home runs in 14 previous games this season before exploding Saturday.

Warrington, Donkin, Giacchino, EJ Stoltzfus, and Zach Lopes each collected three hits while Donkin had a career-high five RBIs and scored three times and Warrington had four RBIs. Delaware’s first four batters went a combined 12 for 20 with nine runs scored and seven RBIs. Designated hitter Greg Olenski also drove home three runs for the Blue Hens after entering the game in the fifth inning.

"It was great to see our guys follow up their strong performance from yesterday with another one today," said Delaware head coach Jim Sherman. "(Starting pitcher Brandon) Hinkle wasn't as sharp as he has been but he battled through and gave us a strong start. The offense obviously did a great job with Donkin and Warrington leading the way. Hopefully the guys will come out tomorrow just as hungry as they have been the last two days."

Delaware will close out the three-game set Sunday at 1 p.m. at Harford. The Hens have now defeated the Stags (3-7) five straight times.

Delaware starter Brandon Hinkle was overpowering on the mound as he struck out nine Fairfield batters in just five innings to gain his third win of the season. He struck out the side in both the second and fifth innings and had two more in the fourth. Brock Niggebrugge and Kevin Milley finished off the game with solid relief efforts.

Leftfielder Billy Zolga went 3 for 4, hit a solo home run in the sixth inning, and also doubled for Fairfield.